lenient

not as strict as expected when punishing somebody or when making sure that rules are obeyeda lenient sentence/fineThe judge was far too lenient with him.Word Originmid 17th cent. (originally meaning mild or soothing): from Latinlenient-

‘soothing’

, from the verb lenire, from lenis

‘mild, gentle’

.Extra examplesThe police are sometimes more lenient with female offenders.He hoped that a lenient view would be taken of his misconduct.The judge agreed that the sentence was unduly lenient.The police and courts may be more lenient with female offenders.